Meet The Editors – LocalKicks.com

Allison Brooks

Allison Priebe Brooks, Alexandria's favorite Queen Bee, is the Society and Lifestyle Columnist for Local Kicks. Allison owns the successful jewelry design business Queen Bee Designs www.QueenBeeDesigns.com and has a long history in the world of journalism.

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Aly Jacobs

Although born and raised in Connecticut, Aly is a true city girl at heart. After graduating from American University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish, Aly went to work on the Jack Diamond Morning Show on Mix 107.3 where you can her hear weekday mornings from 5 to 10. As the fashionista for Mix and the new style columnist for Local Kicks,Contact Aly at alyson.s.jacobs@gmail.com.

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Cindy McCartney

Cindy McCartney is a designer and owner of Diva, a designer consignment boutique just off King Street.

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David Steinbacher

The Sports Editor of Local Kicks, David has been covering Alexandria sports for the past 15 years for a variety of local newspapers. David grew up in Alexandria, Fairfax County and Arlington County, where he played lacrosse, soccer and football in both high school and college. David's driving passion is covering the local high school sports scene, for which he remarks, "The money machine is not the driving force.

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Dick Methia

Dick Methia began his writing career at nine as a war correspondent. He covered the clash of rubber Union and Rebel armies by pecking out dispatches on a rusty Smith Corona in a backyard tent that used to be his mom’s bed sheet. When the war was over, he gravitated to less serious pursuits: teacher, non-profit exec, consultant, author, and (almost) astronaut.

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Emily Miller

Emily Miller, author of Local Kicks' weekly column Emily's Post, is a public affairs consultant, with 15 years experience in politics and media. Previously, Emily was the Deputy Press Secretary at the State Department for both Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. She also worked on Capitol Hill, where she served as the Communications Director for House Majority Whip Tom DeLay and served as Press Secretary for Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY).Contact Emily at emily@emilymiller.org

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Gale Curcio

Gale Curcio was a reporter and editor with the Connection Newspapers for eight years. She has spent the past four years doing development, marketing and communications for non-profit organizations. Active in the Alexandria community, Gale is involved with several local Chambers and does volunteer work for United Community Ministries.

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Harry Covert

Harry Covert is a veteran journalist and writer, broadcast and print. He writes from Alexandria. His columns appear in numerous newspapers and can be found at www.thecovertletter.com.

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Jane Hess Collins

Jane Hess Collins is a managing partner of Get Out and Give Back, LLC, and an accredited life coach and member of the International Coaching Federation. She is also a television host for Fairfax Public Access and a freelance writer. Jane created the "Get Out and Give Back" newspaper column in January 2005 to inspire others to find their community service passion and make it an active part of their life.

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Jordan Wright

Jordan Wright is a longtime foodie. The Food Editor of Local Kicks, she has been a private chef for eight years and is the granddaughter of Redskins football team founder and 37-year owner George Preston Marshall. A moment with Jordan would leave a dyed-in-the-wool fan reeling and begging for tales of reminiscence about the “Hogs.”

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Josie Lutton

Hi, my name is Josie. I’m a 6 year old Golden Retriever who works and plays at Dogtopia of Alexandria Dog Daycare and Boarding facility and I’m the Vice President of Dog Resources. Or, for short, VP of DR. My job is to interview all dogs that want to come here to play. I make sure that they are well socialized and to assign them into one of our playgroups. I hope you will enjoy, laugh, and feel free to comment on my blog. Contact Josie at josie@dogdaycare.com

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Kirsten Obadal

Kiki Obadal writes from Old Town Alexandria on a variety of lifestyle subjects in her column, "Meanderings". She has written for community media for several years, including the Old Town Crier and the Alexandria Times, and most recently for Local Kicks. On Local Kicks, watch for "Meanderings" and Kiki's articles about local leaders and events. Kiki is also an Arabic linguist.

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Laura Dowling

Laura Dowling is a longtime Old Town resident and is also Instructeur Associé of L’Ecole des Fleurs, Paris. The principal of Intérieurs et Fleurs in Old Town, Laura creates floral arrangements for glamorous events in the nation’s capital.

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Linda Hafer

Linda Brinker Hafer is the Executive Director of The Art League of Alexandria. She also serves on the Alexandria Waterfront Committee, and the boards of the Old Town Business & Professional Association and the Torpedo Factory Artists Association.

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ARTSCENE/Patrons’ Show Arrives a Week Late

Margo Osborne

Margo Osborne is the Kids Editor of Local Kicks and its "Kids Kicks" column, in which she discovers, reviews, and informs on unique kid-related offerings. As a Southerner with two kids in tow, rest assured she is always looking for ways to "spice up" your children's lives. Margo can be reached at jmombo@cox.net.

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Mari Stull

A wine journalist and columnist whose musings appear in over 25 newspapers, magazines, and online outlets monthly. The Vixen de-mystifies wine one sip and wine-oh at a time with her down to earth and humorous approach to vino.

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Merrily Preston

An intentional life facilitator who lives in Woodbridge and is the author of the popular advice column "Ask Merrily," which is exclusive to Local Kicks. Preston's professional guidance enables her clients to make conscious choices that are in their best interest, so as to live an intentional life.

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Meshelle Armstrong

Restaurant veteran Meshelle Armstrong of Alexandria is part of the husband and wife team of Dublin native Chef Cathal Armstrong, one of Food & Wine magazine's Top 50 New Chefs. The two created Old Town's Restaurant Eve, from a passion based on experience and a name lent by their first child.

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The Brown Baggin' it Blues

Michael Gryboski

Michael Gryboski was born, raised, and currently resides in Alexandria, making him one of the few people living in Northern Virginia who's actually from Northern Virginia. He recently graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor of arts in history and a minor in psychology. An aspiring writer, Michael wrote for GMU's student newspaper the Broadside , including his own website, www.cross-nation.com.

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Michelle D'Ettorre

Michelle D’Ettorre, Alexandria's penultimate dog lover, writes the Alexandria Paws column for Local Kicks. When she's not coddling her beloved canines, Michelle is vice president of Karing by Kristina Complete Pet Care Professionals in Alexandria and works with the Alexandria Animal Welfare League and the Humane Society of DC. Michelle is also Mrs. Alexandria United States 2009.

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Nancy Burns

The Gardening Columnist for Local Kicks, Nancy is also a Certified Master Gardener and the owner of Garden Ideas. A lifelong Alexandria resident, Nancy serves as Horticulture Information Director of District II, National Capital Area Garden Clubs; President of the Belle Haven Garden Club and Secretary of the National Capital Orchid Society. Contact Nancy at n.burns@cox.net or (703) 329-1899.

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Rich Galen

Rich Galen has been described as "what you get when you cross a political hack with a philosopher." Rich has been press secretary to Dan Quayle, when the former Vice President was a Congressman and a U.S. Senator; and to Newt Gingrich when Gingrich was House Republican Whip and, in 1996 became the communications director of the political office of Speaker Gingrich.

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Steve D'Ettorre

Steve D'Ettorre of Alexandria is our Film/TV Critic. He is a life-long fan of movies and TV. As a six year-old he knew the theme song to "The Tonight Show" better than most nursery rhymes. He currently lives in Alexandria with his wife, Michelle, also a Local Kicks columnist. Steve may be reached at stevedettorre@yahoo.com

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Steve Houk

Steve Houk is loving life and rocking out as a weekend musician. He has interviewed just about every pop musician imaginable to show up at the Birchmere, from Buddy Guy to Robin Trower. Houk lives in Annandale with his wife and kids. For his day job, Steve is Marketing Director of WUSA 9.

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Susan McCorkindale

The author of Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl, Susan McCorkindale moved from Manhattan and now resides with her family on a 500-acre beef cattle farm in Upperville, Virginia. Check out her daily blog at http://confessionsofacounterfeitfarmgirl.blogspot.com

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Tommy McFly

Initially, Tommy wanted to be a lawyer. But when he got his own radio show at age 15 in his hometown of Scranton PA., all thoughts of cross examination and evidence tampering went out the window. It’s been three years since the call came to work at Mix 107.3 FM, where you can catch him weeknights from 7 pm to midnight. Tommy writes the weekly column, "Tommy's Take," exclusively for Local Kicks. Contact Tommy at tommy@mix1073fm.com.